RELEASE OF HUNTER’S PISTOL ORDERED BY COURT

MBABANE - The court has ordered the release of a pistol belonging to Private Investigator (PI) Hunter Shongwe.

Shongwe’s licensed 9mm pistol, Z88, was taken by the police from his homestead at Mvutjini on February 19, 2018 when he was arrested for allegedly raping his 15-year- close relative, an incident which allegedly happened in 2016.

The order for the release of the firearm was issued by Judge Mbutfo Mamba.
“The detention order granted by Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati is hereby set aside.

The Director of Public Prosecutions and the National Commissioner of Police are ordered to immediately surrender and/or give the applicant (Shongwe) his 9mm pistol being make Z88, with serial number T404700,” reads part of the order.

The National Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions were further ordered to pay costs of Shongwe’s application at ordinary scale.

Shongwe obtained the order after his lawyer, Mayibongwe Mntungwa of Robinson Bertram, successfully moved an application that the firearm be released to the PI. In his founding affidavit, Shongwe submitted that the police were keeping his pistol in order to put his life in danger due to the work he does. Shongwe highlighted that his job as a PI involved working at night while seeking information on fraud and infidelity among others. The PI is currently out on E50 000 bail for the rape charge.

He told the court that despite his release, his firearm was kept by the police who allegedly refused to give it to him.
Shongwe informed the court that after he was granted bail, he went to collect his firearm at the police station and he was allegedly not attended to.

  “The unlawful detention is also meant to put my life in danger due to the work that I am doing,” said Shongwe. He prayed that the court should order the Director of Public Prosecutions and the National Commissioner of Police to release his weapon to him.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: